Connor Bedard Stymied Again as Blackhawks Blow Lead, Lose to Flyers

Struggling Star Finishes with Zero Shots on Goal

The Blackhawks star darted in on a power play and ripped a hard, well-placed shot that beat Flyers goalie Aleksei Kolosov, rang off the post and nearly bounced in off Kolosov’s back.

It was the kind of play Bedard made almost every night last season. It also resembled his October form earlier this season, when he was playing fairly well but just not getting much luck. If he kept it up, the outcome might’ve been different.

Tentativeness crept back into Bedard’s game as the afternoon progressed, however, and he yet again finished with zero shots on goal — albeit on six attempts — as the Hawks lost to the Flyers 3-2 in overtime after blowing a two-goal lead.

Cause of the Collapse

Coach Luke Richardson told reporters in Philadelphia that the Hawks just spent too much time in their defensive zone and that a couple of breakdowns on faceoffs in the “D”-zone cost them. “There was a little bit of panic in our game when we got the puck in the ‘D’-zone,” he said. “We were not making plays; we were just flipping it out and not getting through that neutral zone.”

Lack of Confidence

On a third-period rush, Bedard’s lagging confidence was evident when he opted to try a cross-ice pass with a very low probability of success instead of testing Kolosov with his one-of-a-kind shot.

And on two offensive-zone entries to begin overtime, Bedard turned the puck once and missed the net with a shot the second time. That miss led Hawks defenseman Alex Vlasic to take a holding penalty, and the Flyers converted the ensuing power play.

Line Shuffle

Richardson — as has become a habit — switched Bedard’s linemates halfway through the game, moving him away from Jason Dickinson and Joey Anderson’s checking line and putting him back at center between Taylor Hall and Teuvo Teravainen. Playing him with Teravainen makes a lot more sense than with Anderson, but it’s not surprising that the new trio didn’t click immediately, considering how little time they’ve had to build chemistry.

Goal Drought

Bedard, whose goal drought extended to 12 straight games, has now gone consecutive games with zero shots on goal for the first time in his young career; he had previously been held without only five times in 87 games. He did unleash one tight-angle shot late in the second period that looked on-goal but was ruled not.

Furthermore, he has tallied only six shots on goal in his last seven games combined, and opponents have outshot the Hawks 58-28 cumulatively during his five-on-five ice time. In other words, he has been thoroughly stifled for multiple weeks now.

Game Winner

Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov buried the overtime winner after Nick Foligno, who was on the ice for all three Flyers goals, lost coverage on the penalty kill. Back in the third period, the Flyers had scored twice in less than three minutes to tie the game.

Bright Spots

Lukas Reichel (two points) and Petr Mrazek (34 saves, including several miraculous ones) were the lone bright spots for the Hawks.

Conclusion

Bedard’s struggles continued, and the Hawks were left to lament their collapse and the fact that they could not hold onto a two-goal lead. The loss marks another tough night for the team, and fans are eagerly waiting to see if the star player can break out of his funk.

FAQs

What is Connor Bedard’s current goal drought?
Bedard’s goal drought has now extended to 12 straight games.

Has Connor Bedard ever gone consecutive games with zero shots on goal before?
Yes, this marks the first time in his young career that Bedard has gone consecutive games with zero shots on goal.

What is Matvei Michkov’s stats so far in his NHL career?
Michkov has recorded 16 points in his first 19 NHL games.

Who were the lone bright spots for the Hawks?
Lukas Reichel and Petr Mrazek were the lone bright spots for the Hawks in their loss to the Flyers.